Outdoors
Tips to help you build a fire
Use these simple steps to build a fire at your next campout.
1. The Right Spot
Clear the area of debris, avoid overhanging branches and make sure your fire is a safe distance from tents and other flammable materials. Build your fire on an earthen pad like this one.
2. The Right Material
The three types of natural fuel are tinder (material that burns easily such as dry grass or shavings whittled from a stick), kindling (slightly larger material such as twigs that will burn with a little encouragement) and firewood (dry branches that will be the main fuel of the fire). No shortcuts allowed—never use flammable liquids.
3. The Right Shape
Two ways to build your fire are the tepee, in which you arrange the kindling in the shape of a tepee over the tinder, and the lean-to, in which you push a small stick in the ground at a 45-degree angle with the upper end pointing into the wind. Place the tinder beneath the stick and lean the kindling against it. Light the tinder and add kindling as needed. Add the larger branched last. Never leave a fire unattended.
4. Put It Out Way Out
Pour water on the fire, stir the ashes with a stick, pour some more. It’s not out until you can run your bare hands through the coals.
Read 23 comments about “Tips to help you build a fire”
July 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Once at scout camp (S bar F), our voyager patrol had to burn through a rope 20 in. high by building a fire. Our team did it in about 10 minutes, but that night, when we wanted to show off our skills, we couldn’t get it started. (Luckily, our SPL stepped in and helped.)
May 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Those are all great ideas. This has been the most rewarding website that I have ever visited!!!!!! My life has changed for the better. I am completely amazed.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:07 am
One good fire I know about that gives of a lot of heat but little light is the dakota fire pit. wat you do is you dig to holes in the ground about 12-18 inches in diameter and about 12-18 inches apart from where I heard. then you dig a tunnel to connect them. then in the one that is downwind you put the tinder. then you light it. The air will flow from the empty hole to the one with the fire supplying it with oxygen. this is a good fire for if you are a soldier trying to survive behind enemy lines. Good tips by the way
March 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
I think that your tips are really helpful, keep on truckin
February 28th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
cool
February 24th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
log cabins are the best because the tinder and the kinling get enough air, but not enough to blow it out. easy to care for
December 8th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
True, a log cabin fire is great but only once you get a fire going good and strong.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
shooter470, that pretty much is true but pine needles make to much smoke
September 10th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Ya no that advice works great but I got in trouble because the fire was in my backyard 8o()
August 12th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I Think that log cabins are the best because: Exellent air flow, tinder and kindling are in the middle to ignite the firewood. Use lots of pine needles while using any fire: Ignites quickly and burns hot. 2 other materials that help fires 1 ratsnest 2 charcloth